Little Books for Big Siblings

Little Books for Big Siblings

xthere-s-a-house-inside-my-mummy.jpg.pagespeed.ic.8CdlBqlAyqIt’s a very exciting time when there’s a new baby on the way – but it can be challenging to simplify everything that’s going on to a soon-to-be-big-sibling, as well as and explaining how things will and won’t change once the baby is here! We’ve compiled a few books to share with different ages that may just give you as helping hand – you can click on the titles or covers below for more information.

There’s a House Inside My Mummy by Giles Andreae and Vanessa Cabban comes in board book, and is a popular choice to read to toddlers. It has a simple rhyming story of a little brother anticipating the new arrival, and is a bestseller on this topic for good reason.

Another good pre-baby book is There’s Going to be a Baby by John Burningham and Helen Oxenbury. Great for kids with a little more understanding, so about 3 – 5 year olds. It focuses on all the questions a child might have about what’s happening, like ‘When is the baby coming? What will we call it? What will the baby do? We don’t really need the baby, do we?’

It can also be helpful to bring in a familiar character, so your child can relate to the experience of someone they are comfortable with. Try Angelina and the New Baby with Angelina the ballerina, or Spot’s Baby Sister with beloved favourite Spot the dog.xthe-swap.jpg.pagespeed.ic.TMjRIFgJ-K

Olive the Alien is a picture book that highlights just how strange a new baby can seem in those first few months – almost like an alien! It is the follow-up title to the much-loved Olive Marshmallow, which introduces Archie and his brand new baby sister Olive. Olive the Alien is the perfect picture book for any child and parentnavigating the relationship between siblings.

The Swap by Jan Omerod and illustrated by Andrew Joyner is a fun story for 3-6 year olds about Caroline Crocodile, who is very jealous of her new sibling. She takes her baby brother to the store to swap him for something else, which is harder than she expected… In New Baby by Stephanie Blake, Simon is also confused and concerned by this new arrival (it’s NOT going back to the hospital? WHAT?!) Blake’s trademark cheeky wit is in full force in this one, for ages 5-7.

 

Got another book that you found useful in your family? Let us know in the comments!

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